LOWELL -- Normand Bazin, a native of Manitoba, played four seasons for the UMass Lowell hockey team from 1990-94, scoring 20 goals as a senior and netting a goal in the River Hawks' 4-3 triumph over host Michigan State in the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament. He also met his wife, Michelle, at UML, where both were students.

Bazin returned to his alma mater as head coach in the spring of 2011. He inherited a 5-25-4 team and guided it to a 24-13-1 record -- the greatest turnaround by a first-year coach in Division I hockey history -- and into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Bazin was named Hockey East Coach of the Year and was a finalist for national Coach of the Year honors.

We caught up with Bazin, whose 16-9-2 River Hawks are the 12th-ranked team in the country , and asked him 10 questions.

Q: Why did you pick UMass Lowell to play your college hockey?

A: I had several colleges show interest and offer fly-downs. But I ended up getting injured, and UMass Lowell was the one that stuck with me.

Q: You and future NHL All-Star goaltender Dwayne Roloson were roommates at UMass Lowell and have remained lifelong friends. Why did you two hit it off?

A: You grow close to the teammates you came in with, and that class was really close. Rollie and I had similar interests and similar goals.

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Q: A Dean's List student, you earned your degree in criminal justice in just 3 1/2 years and were ready to graduate when you decided to stay for another semester and were instrumental in the team's success as the River Hawks reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament that spring. What changed your mind?

A: We were having such a successful season, and I was able to contribute to that success. So I saw no need to move on.

Q: What's your most cherished memory of your career as a student-athlete at UMass Lowell?

A: Winning that NCAA game at Michigan State.

Q: When did you first feel the yearning to get into coaching hockey?

A: When I finished playing there was a severe void. Hockey was out of my life. It took awhile, but I got the hockey bug again.

Q: You nearly lost your life when you were hit head-on by a drunk driver while on a recruiting trip for Colorado College. How did that experience change your outlook on life?

A: I don't have any bad days. Maybe it's a cliche to some people, but when you come close to not having any more days, you don't have any bad days. It put perspective back into things.

Q: While building your coaching resume at Colorado College and then Hamilton, did you ever imagine you'd get the opportunity to return to your alma mater as head coach of the River Hawks?

A: You can imagine a lot of things. I was hoping an opportunity would present itself one day, but I didn't have a timetable. I'm thankful I had the opportunity.

Q: Were you as surprised as everyone else when the River Hawks went from five wins to 24 and the second round of the NCAA tourney in your first year?

A: I wouldn't have predicted it. Last year was a work in progress. But it developed into something strong, and at the halfway point I didn't dismiss us from having an opportunity to play in the tournament. I saw things progress and materialize offensively and defensively. The game was taking its own shape and the kids were playing very hard for each other.

Q: Has it ever entered your mind that the 2011-12 season will be an awfully tough act to follow?

A: I don't compare one team or season to another because each season is a work of art. New kids, new chemistry. The chemistry is different this year. Maybe it's better or maybe it's worse than last year. We'll find out when all is said and done.

Q: Now that you're here, can you envision coaching anywhere else?

A: No. This is certainly the place I want to be and the place I'd like to finish later on in life. This is home.

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